July 29

2033-2065

As we wake we hear our first raindrops in months splattering against our tent. As we get dressed and leave the tent we are amazed by the freshness in the air. The rain has mercifully cleared out the smoke. I usually hate hiking in rain, but the clean air and cool temps are a wonderful contrast to the smoke and heat of Northern California and Southern Oregon. With all my lost body fat I am finding I get cold much easier than usual, but I put on my rain gear and truck along.

We are right on the shoulders of Mt. Jefferson, the heavily glaciated 2nd highest peak in Oregon. There are many lingering snow fields and a beautiful wildflower display.

Water is abundant, and berries are becoming ripe in the lower elevation areas. We supplement our trail food with pounds of huckleberries that we grab as we walk.

Soon, we pass into another burned area approaching Olallie lake. There is a tiny fishing lodge on the lake that we planned to resupply at, but learn as we approach that it is cash only.

We feel like children picking through their pockets for change at a candy shop as we gather up our collective cash. We only need food for a day and a half, and are saved by strange but delicious German bars in the free hiker bucket at the store.

We leave and return into a severely burned area and run into a huge group of first time women backpackers. It is very cool to see such a large group of women out here, but this is a strange place to choos to hike if you didn’t have to.

As we take a break at the end of the day, we are swarmed by hungry birds. They are so brazen that they fly up and take food right out of our hands as we are eating.

We camp under an ominous warning sign in the territory of the Warm Springs Reservation.